The first reading for today is from the Letter of James. It is a passage structured in three parts: the problem is identified (4:1–3), its incompatibility with God is described (vv. 4–7), and the cure of the vice is indicated (vv. 7–10).

In Jewish and Hellenistic thought all problems arise from four prime vices: desire, pleasure, fear, and grief. Earlier, James described “desire” as the root of temptation ever in conflict with heavenly wisdom: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15) These conflicts stem from “desire,” which cannot yield anything good: “You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain.” This is James’ parallel saying to the well-known: “the love of money (desire) is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10). Continue reading →